Reflecting on the Past Two Months

In just over 2 months of opening our doors to our community, I now look back with awe and amazement with what we have done. The weeks have passed quickly and preparing to open our facility seems like such a long time ago. On reflection, here is what stands out:

• Our staff working 6 days a week for several weeks prior to opening and how much I worried when I could see that everyone was physically tired - yet, no one complained as we all shared in the anticipation of what was to be.
• Tours, tours and more tours - it got to the point that we wore sneakers to work and we often left our daily work to act as a tour guide.
• A donor reception where we all could feel just how proud everyone was of what we accomplished.
• Opening day - unreal, unbelievable and unlike anything I've ever seen in more than 20 years in the YMCA. Bumper to bumper people filled our hallways and the activity was really something to experience.
• Becoming the 3rd largest branch in Delaware in just 2 weeks of operating.
• Tweaking, adding, explaining, problem-solving and planning and we're still not completely finished with program hours and offerings. Though we've done a lot of great things here, we know we have more to do.
• Watching the cardio kick-boxing class in the gym - more than 80 participants in one class at one time - you can feel the energy just by watching through the doorway
• Kids running ahead of their parents to get in the Y - knowing they plan to have fun while they're here
• A grand opening celebration party just for our members - everyone loved the event
• And...we turned around just one month later with another celebration for our Healthy Kids Day
• Youth sports on our own fields and in our own gym - it's a true gift!
• Swimming lessons, lap swimming, Body Pump, youth wellness, youth sports, Kids Zone, yoga, kick-boxing, personal training, Spinning, volleyball, basketball, arthritis class, Boot Camp, school-age child care and school age vacation programs, hydropump, LIFE, day camp and kids, and parents and young adults and families and seniors - it's all happening daily in this building.

Just 9 weeks into operating this facility and I feel so fortunate to be part of a terrific staff team, to work in such a beautiful facility, to talk with folks of all shapes, ages, sizes and backgrounds and as we continue to serve our community and members, I am reminded daily that blessings are easy to see.